The Forensic Nurse

Trying to

Sometimes the professionals who help victims of sexual assualt may inadventently experience injuries as the result of trying to help those who have been victimized. Not physical injuries, but the emotional injuries, just as real as those experienced by their victims.

Dealing with horrific and traumatized victims on a daily basis can drain on the mental strength of these professionals. Forensic Nurses, child protective services, prosecutors, therapists, and law enforcement officials are often exposed daily to the kind of nightmares that many of us can’t even, or maybe just don’t want to think about.

One website called www.silentinjuries.com is dedicated to trying to help support those who support others. They specialize in trying to help SANE’s and other professionals of sexual abuse to deal with relationship problems, depression, sleep deprivation, and social issues that they may experience as a result of their work.

While genital injury during a sexual assault is not all that common, there are some warning signs that you should look for. Injury may or not be immediately visible to the naked eye, or even with a woods lamp.

Symptoms of Genital Injuries in Females may include:

• pain in the abdomen

• pain inside or outside the vagina

• bleeding

• swelling

• redness and swelling within the vagina

• painful urination

• inability to urinate

• foul smelling discharge

• feeling faint

Signs of Genital Injuries in Females may include:

• cuts or tears anywhere in the genital region

• an object embedded in the vagina

• bite marks on the genitalia

• bruising of the vulva, the outside of the vagina

• bleeding under the skin of the vulva

• change in the shape of the vaginal lips, vulva, or other areas

• swelling

• redness and swelling within the vagina

• shock